Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said on the Senate floor that the president's tone [in his afternoon presser] represented "heckling," and as a consequence, he "lost some votes" for a compromise deal. Soon after, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) also said Obama was too mean and made Congress feel bad.

If I were Obama I'd make sure those rude "You lie!" applauders would cry even more. Hit them were it hurts... make their defense contractor contributors think twice, for example, about sending more money to a party that refused to accept what the country decided in November and what is now officially costing them those precious high dollar contracts. I would also tell them that the demarcation line for tax increases has just been reset to $250k.

Obama holds all the cards. It's time he stops playing Mr. Nice Guy with jackasses who have held him in such conspicuous contempt.